Starting statin therapy shortly after a type 2 diabetes diagnosis may not only protect the heart — it may also be linked to a lower dementia risk.A large study presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Munich on Aug.30 found that adults who began taking a statin within one year of their type 2 diabetes diagnosis had a 15% lower relative risk of developing dementia over 10 years compared to those who did not take the medication within five years.Even for those who delayed starting a statin for one to five years, there was still a 10% lower relative risk, according to the findings, which were published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe.3 THINGS TO AVOID IN MIDDLE AGE COULD MEAN 13 MORE YEARS WITHOUT DEMENTIA, STUDY FINDSA statin is a prescription medication that lowers "bad" LDL cholesterol and helps reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.Researchers conducted the study by tracking health data from 132,585 patients in Denmark who were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes between 2006 and 2019 and had no prior history of statin use or dementia.A statin is a prescription medication that lowers "bad" LDL cholesterol and helps reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
(iStock)During a median follow-up of 7.1 years, the team analyzed how the timing of statin treatment impacted overall dementia rates.Dr.Liron Sinvani, a geriatrician and director for research and innovation at the Northwell Institute for Healthy Aging in New York, said this was a "well-designed, large-scale observational study that adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that statins may help protect brain health."GAME-CHANGING CHOLESTEROL PILL WINS FDA APPROVAL AFTER CUTTING LDL NEARLY 60%She noted that while a 15% reduction is a modest improvement, it remains "very significant."People with type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of cognitive decline and heart disease, consistent with previous research.Starting a statin within one year of a type 2 diabetes diagnosis was ass...